Strain-relieved, water-tight cord grip

Abstract

A kit of cord trip components which when applied to an electrical cord provide a strain-relieved, water-tight cord grip. A body having a bore with a tapered end wall and external thread portion receives a deformable bushing having a matching tapered portion. An assembly device having a second tapered end wall and an internal threaded portion receives a grip device having a plurality of displaceable fingers. When the assembly device is threaded onto the body, the deformable bushing is compressed upon a cord inserted in the cord grip to provide a water-tight seal and some strain relief while the displaceable fingers of the grip device securely grip the cord to provide the major portion of the strain relief. By changing the bushing and grip device, to ones having different diameter bores, and provided with the body and assembly device, the cord grip can accommodate a wide range of cord diameters.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
       1. A strain-relieved, watertight cord grip comprising: a. a substantially cylindrical body having a first end and a second end and a bore extending therethrough from said first end to said second end substantially concentric with a longitudinal axis of said cylindrical body, said bore adapted to receive an electrical cord therein;   b. said bore being outwardly tapered from a point between said first and second ends to said second end to provide a first frusto-conical wall adjacent said second end;   c. said body having an externally threaded portion adjacent said second end and substantially overlying said first frusto-conical wall;   d. a deformable bushing having a first end and a second end and a bore therethrough;   e. said deformable bushing having a tapered outer surface adjacent said first end, said tapered outer surface of said deformable bushing being complementary to said first frusto-conical wall of said cylindrical body;   f. grip means having a base ring at a first end and a plurality of displaceable fingers extending therefrom towards a second end, the tips of said fingers describing at said second end a cord passageway, said grip means adapted to be positioned to align said fingers with said longitudinal axis of said body;   g. each of said displaceable fingers comprises: h. first rib means extending from said base ring to said finger tip;   i. second rib means, substantially parallel with and spaced apart from said first rib means;   j. thin web means connected to and between said first and second rib means whereby said fingers have a reduced cross-section and are more easily displaceable;     k. assembly means having a cylindrical body member having a first open end and a second partially closed end and a bore extending from said first end towards said second end;   l. a second frusto-conical wall extending from the bore in said assembly means between said first end and said second end to said partially closed end;   m. said second frusto-conical wall acting upon said fingers to control the size of said cord passageway; and   n. at least a portion of said assembly means bore being internally threaded to threadably engage said body externally threaded portion to assemble said cord grip upon an electrical cord.   
     
     
       2. A strain-relieved, watertight cord grip comprising: a. a substantially cylindrical body having a first end and a second end and a bore extending therethrough from said first end to said second end substantially concentric with a longitudinal axis of said cylindrical body, said bore adapted to receive an electrical cord therein;   b. said bore being outwardly tapered from a point between said first and second ends to said second end to provide a first frusto-conical wall adjacent said second end;   c. said body having an externally threaded portion adjacent said second end and substantially overlying said first frusto-conical wall;   d. a deformable bushing having a first end and a second end and a bore therethrough;   e. said deformable bushing having a tapered outer surface adjacent said first end, said tapered outer surface of said deformable bushing being complementary to said first frusto-conical wall of said cylindrical body;   f. grip means having a base ring at a first end and a plurality of displaceable fingers extending therefrom towards a second end, the tips of said fingers describing at said second end a cord passageway, said tips of said fingers extending perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said body;   g. each of said displaceable fingers comprising: h. first rib means extending from said base ring to said finger tip;   i. second rib means substantially parallel with and spaced apart from said first rib means;   j. thin web means connected to and between said first and said second rib means whereby said fingers have a reduced cross-section and are more easily displaceable;     k. said grip means being adapted to be positioned to align said fingers with the longitudinal axis of said body;   l. assembly means having a substantially cylindrical body member having a first open end and a second partially closed end and a bore extending from said first end towards said second end;   m. a second frusto-conical wall extending from the bore in said assembly means between said first end and said second end to said partially closed end;   n. said second frusto-conical wall acting upon said fingers to control the size of said cord passageway; and   o. at least a portion of said assembly means bore being internally threaded to threadably engage said body externally threaded portion to assemble said cord grip upon an electrical cord.   
     
     
       3. A strain-relieved, water-tight cord grip comprising: a. a substantially cylindrical body having a first end a second end and a bore extending therethrough from said first end to said second end substantially concentric with a longitudinal axis of said cylindrical body, said bore adapted to receive an electrical cord therein;   b. said bore being outwardly tapered from a point between said first and second ends to said second end to provide a first frusto-conical wall adjacent said second end;   c. said body having an externally threaded portion adjacent said second end and substantially overlying said frusto-conical wall;   d. a deformable bushing having a first end and a second end and a bore therethrough;   e. said deformable bushing having a tapered outer surface adjacent said first end, said tapered outer surface of said deformable bushing being complementary to said first frusto-conical wall of said cylindrical body;   f. grip means having a base ring at a first end a plurality of displaceable fingers extending therefrom towards a second end, the tips of said fingers describing at a said second end a cord passageway, said tips of said fingers are substantially flat to securely grip a cord extending through said cord passageway, said grip means adapted to be positioned to align said fingers with the longitudinal axis of said body;   g. each of said displaceable fingers comprises: h. first rib means extending from said base ring to said finger tip;   i. second rib means, substantially parallel with and spaced apart from said first rib means;   j. thin web means connected to and between said first and second rib means whereby said fingers have a reduced cross-section and are more easily displaceable;     k. assembly means having a substantially cylindrical body member having a first open end and a second partially closed end and a bore extending from said first end towards said second end;   l. a second frusto-conical wall extending from the bore in said assembly means between said first end and said second end to said partially closed end;   m. said second frusto-conical wall acting upon said fingers to control the size of said cord passageway; and   n. at least a portion of said assembly means bore being internally threaded to threadably engage said body externally threaded portion to assemble said cord grip upon an electrical cord.   
     
     
       4. A strain-relieved, water-tight cord grip comprising: a. a substantially cylindrical body having a first end and a second end and a bore extending therethrough from said first end to said second end substantially concentric with a longitudinal axis of said cylindrical body, said bore adapted to receive an electrical cord therein;   b. said bore being outwardly tapered from a point between said first and second ends to said second end to provide a first frusto-conical wall adjacent said second end;   c. said body having an externally threaded portion adjacent said second end and substantially overlying said frusto-conical wall;   d. a deformable bushing having a first end and a second end and a bore therethrough;   e. said deformable bushing having a tapered outer surface adjacent said first end, said tapered outer surface of said deformable bushing being complementary to said first frusto-conical wall of said cylindrical body;   f. grip means having a base ring at a first end and a plurality of displaceable fingers extending therefrom towards a second end, the tips of said fingers describing at said second end a cord passageway, the tips of said fingers extend perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said body and are substantially flat to securely grip a cord extending through said cord passageway, said grip means adapted to be positioned to align said fingers with the longitudinal axis of said body;   g. each of said displaceable fingers comprises: h. first rib means extending from said base ring to said finger tip;   i. second rib means, substantially parallel with and spaced apart from said first rib means;   j. thin web means connected to and between said first and second rib means whereby said fingers have a reduced cross-section and are more easily displaceable;     k. assembly means having a substantially cylindrical body member having a first open end and a second partially closed end and a bore extending from said first end towards said second end;   l. a second frusto-conical wall extending from the bore in said assembly means between said first end and said second end to said partially closed end;   m. said second frusto-conical wall acting upon said fingers to control the size of said cord passageway; and   n. at least a portion of said assembly means bore being internally threaded to threadably engage said body externally threaded portion to assemble said cord grip upon an electrical cord.   
     
     
       5. In a strain-relieved, water-tight cord grip of the type having a cylindrical body, a deformable bushing, a grip means and an assembly means, the improvement comprising: a. a plurality of deformable bushings joined one to another in a chain-like fashion, each of said bushings having the same exterior profile;   b. each of said bushings having a bore therethrough, said bore having a diameter adapted to receive a range of cord diameters therethrough;   c. a wall of said bore of said deformable bushing; and   d. an aperture in said wall proportioned to permit a cord, within the range of cord diameters which the associated bore can receive, to pass therethrough in sealing engagement with the wall that defines such aperture; said wall defining said aperture gripping said cord more tightly as the first end of said deformable bushing is forced into said body along a first frusto-conical wall in said body, whereby a deformable bushing having an aperture to receive the inserted cord is separated from the chain of such bushings and positioned between said body and said grip means to receive the inserted cord.   
     
     
       6. In a strain-relieved, water-tight cord grip of the type having a cylindrical body, a deformable bushing, a grip means and an assembly means, the improvement comprising: a. a plurality of grip means joined one to another in a chain-like fashion, each of said grip means having the same external profile;   b. each of said grip means having a base ring at a first end and a plurality of displaceable fingers extending away from said ring, the tips of said fingers at a second free end describing a cord passageway, each of said grip means adapted to be positioned between said deformable bushing and said assembly means with said fingers aligned with the longitudinal axis of said body;   c. said passageway having an initial diameter adapted to receive a range of cord diameters therethrough; and   d. said passageway diameter is reduced from said initial diameter and the tips of said fingers caused to bite into the insulation of a cord having a diameter in the range of cord diameters the passageway is arranged to receive and passed through said cord grip as said fingers are forced towards one another by their engagement with an inner surface of said assembly means, whereby a grip means having a passageway to receive the inserted cord is separated from the chain of such grip means and positioned between said deformable bushing and said assembly means to receive the inserted cord.   
     
     
       7. In a strain-relieved, water-tight cord grip of the type having a cylindrical body, a deformable bushing, a grip means and an assembly means, the improvement comprising: a. a plurality of deformable bushings joined one to another in a chain-like fashion, each of said bushings having the same exterior profile;   b. each of said bushings having a bore therethrough, said bore having a diameter adapted to receive a range of cord diameters therethrough;   c. a wall of said bore of said deformable bushing;   d. an aperture in said wall proportioned to permit a cord, within the range of cord diameters which the associated bore can receive, to pass therethrough in sealing engagement with the wall that defines such aperture; said wall defining said aperture gripping said cord more tightly as the first end of said deformable bushing is forced into said body along a first frusto-conical wall in said body, whereby a deformable bushing having an aperture to receive the chosen cord is separated from the chain of such bushings and positioned between said body and said grip means to receive the chosen cord;   e. a plurality of grip means joined one to another in a chain-like fashion, each of said grip means having the same exterior profile;   f. each of said grip means having a base ring at a first end and a plurality of displaceable fingers extending away from said ring, the tips of said fingers at a second, free end describing a cord passageway, each of said grip means adapted to be positioned between said deformable bushing and said assembly means with said fingers aligned with the longitudinal axis of said body;   g. said passageway having an initial diameter adapted to receive a range of cord diameters therethrough; and   h. said passageway diameter is reduced from said initial diameter and the tips of said fingers caused to bite into the insulation of a cord, having a diameter in the range of cord diameters the passageway is arranged to receive, passed through said cord grip as said fingers are forced towards one another by their engagement with a second frusto-conical wall in said assembly means, whereby a grip means having a passageway to receive the inserted cord is separated from the chain of such grip means and positioned between said deformable bushing and said assembly means to receive the inserted cord.   
     
     
       8. A strain-relieved, water-tight cord grip for use with electrical cords having a wide range of diameters, a kit of cord grip components comprising: a. a substantially cylindrical body having a first end and a second end and a bore extending therethrough from said first end to said second end substantially concentric with the longitudinal axis of said cylindrical body, said bore adapted to receive an electrical cord therein;   b. said bore being outwardly tapered from a point between said first and second ends to said second end to provide a first frusto-conical wall adjacent said second end;   c. said body having an externally threaded portion adjacent said second end and substantially overlying said frusto-conical wall;   d. a plurality of deformable bushings each having a first end and a second end and a bore therethrough and a tapered outer surface adjacent said first end, said tapered outer surface of said deformable bushing being complementary to said frusto-conical wall of said cylindrical body, each of said bushings having the same exterior profile;   e. each of said deformable bushings having a different diameter bore therethrough to accept different ones of the range of cord diameters which the cord grip can accommodate;   f. said deformable bushings being connected to one another in a chain-like fashion whereby the deformable bushing having a bore diameter to accept the cord diameter can be separated from the other deformable bushings and placed in said cylindrical body bore;   g. grip means having a base ring at a first end and a plurality of displaceable fingers extending therefrom towards a second end, the types of said fingers describing at said second free end, a cord passageway, said grip means adapted to be positioned to align said fingers with the longitudinal axis of said body;   h. assembly means having a substantially cylindrical body member having a first open end and a second partially closed end and a bore extending from said first end towards said second end;   i. a second frusto-conical wall extending from the bore in said assembly means between said first end and said second end to said partially closed end;   j. said second frusto-conical wall acting upon said fingers to control the diameter of said cord passageway; and   k. at least a portion of said assembly means bore being internally threaded to threadably engage said body externally threaded portion to assemble said cord grip upon an electrical cord.   
     
     
       9. A strain-relieved, water-tight cord grip for use with electrical cords having a wide range of diameters, a kit of cord grip components comprising: a. a substantially cylindrical body having a first end and a second end and a bore extending therethrough from said first end to said second end substantially concentric with the longitudinal axis of said cylindrical body, said bore adapted to receive an electrical cord therein;   b. said bore being outwardly tapered from a point between said first and second ends to said second end to provide a first frusto-conical wall adjacent said second end;   c. said body having an externally threaded portion adjacent said second end and substantially overlying said frusto-conical wall;   d. a deformable bushing having a first end and a second end and a bore therethrough;   e. said deformable bushing having a tapered outer surface adjacent said first end, said tapered outer surface of said deformable bushing being complementary to said frusto-conical wall of said cylindrical body;   f. a plurality of grip means each having a base ring at a first end and a plurality of displaceable fingers extending away from said ring, the tips of said fingers at a second free end, describing a cord passageway, each of said grip means adapted to be positioned between said deformable bushing and an assembly means with said fingers aligned with the longitudinal axis of said body;   g. each of said grip means having a different initial diameter passageway to accept different ones of the range of cord diameters which the cord grip can accommodate;   h. said passageway diameter is reduced from said initial diameter and the tips of said fingers caused to bite into the insulation of a cord, having a diameter in the range of cord diameters the passageway is arranged to accommodate and passed through said cord grip means as said fingers are forced towards one another by their engagement with a second frusto-conical wall in an assembly means;   i. said grip means being connected to one another in a chain-like fashion whereby the grip means having a passageway diameter to accept the cord diameter to be inserted in said cord grip can be separated from the other grip means and placed adjacent the exposed face of said deformable bushing in said body;   j. assembly means having a substantially cylindrical body member having a first open end and a second partially closed end and a bore extending from said first end towards said second end;   k. a second frusto-conical wall extending from the bore in said assembly means between said first and said second end to said partially closed end;   l. said second frusto-conical wall acting upon said fingers to control the diameter of said cord passageway; and   m. at least a portion of said assembly means bore being internally threaded to threadably engage said body externally threaded portion to assemble said cord grip upon an electrical cord.   
     
     
       10. A strain-relieved, water-tight cord grip for use with electrical cords having a wide range of diameters, a kit of cord grip components comprising: a. a substantially cylindrical body having a first end and a second end and a bore extending therethrough from said first end to said second end substantially concentric with the longitudinal axis of said cylindrical body, said bore adapted to receive an electrical cord therein;   b. said bore being outwardly tapered from a point between said first and second ends to said second end to provide a first frusto-conical wall adjacent said second end;   c. said body having an externally threaded portion adjacent said second end and substantially overlying said frusto-conical wall;   d. a plurality of deformable bushings each having a first end and a second end and a bore therethrough and a tapered outer surface adjacent said first end, said tapered outer surface of said deformable bushing being complementary to said frusto-conical wall of said cylindrical body, each of said bushings having the same exterior profile;   e. each of said deformable bushings having a different diameter cord therethrough to accept different ones of the range of cord diameters which the cord grip can accommodate;   f. said deformable bushing being connected to one another in a chain-like fashion whereby the deformable bushing having a bore diameter to accept the cord diameter can be separated from the other deformable bushings and placed in said cylindrical body bore;   g. a plurality of grip means each having a base ring at a first end and a plurality of displaceable fingers extending away from said ring, the tips of said fingers at a second free end, describing a cord passageway, each of said grip means adapted to be positioned between said deformable bushing and an assembly means with said fingers aligned with the longitudinal axis of said body;   h. each of said grip means having a different initial diameter passageway to accept different ones of the range of cord diameters which the cord grip can accommodate;   i. said passageway diameter is reduced from said initial diameter and the tips of said fingers caused to bite into the insulation of a cord, having a diameter in the range of cord diameters the passageway is arranged to accommodate and passed through said cord grip means as said fingers are forced towards one another by the engagement with a second frusto-conical wall in an assembly means;   j. said grip means being connected to one another in a chain-like fashion whereby the grip means having a passageway diameter to accept the cord diameter to be inserted in said cord grip can be separated from the other grip means and placed adjacent the exposed face of said deformable bushing in said body;   k. assembly means having a substantially cylindrical body member having a first open end and a second partially closed end and a bore extending from said first end towards said second end;   l. a second frusto-conical wall extending from the bore in said assembly means between said first and said second end to said partially closed end;   m. at least a portion of said assembly means bore being internally threaded to threadably engage said body externally threaded portion to assemble said cord grip upon an electrical cord.   
     
     
       11. The method of assembling a strain-relieved, water-tight cord grip usable with a range of cord diameters to an electrical cord comprising the steps of: a. selecting one deformable bushing having a bore to accommodate a selected cord and separating such bushing from a plurality of such bushings connected one to another in chain-like fashion, each having different bore sizes to accept certain cords in said range;   b. inserting said bushing in the tapered bore of a cord grip body having an externally threaded portion;   c. applying an assembly device having a bore therethrough and a portion of said bore containing an internal thread to a portion of the externally threaded body;   d. inserting a cord through the bores of said cord grip body, said deformable bushing and said assembly device; and   e. advancing said assembly device fully onto said cord grip body to deform said deformable bushing and cause said bushing to tightly grip said cord.   
     
     
       12. The method of assembling a strain-relieved, water-tight cord grip usable with a range of cord diameters to an electrical cord comprising the steps of: a. selecting one deformable bushing having a bore to accommodate a selected cord and separating such bushing from a plurality of such bushings connected one to another in chain-like fashion, each having different bore sizes to accept certain cords in said range;   b. inserting said bushing in the tapered bore of a cord grip body having an externally threaded portion;   c. selecting one cord grip means having a passageway between its fingers aligned with the longitudinal axis of said body, said passageway having a diameter to permit said selected cord to pass therethrough, and separating such cord grip means from a plurality of such cord grip means connected one to another in chain-like fashion, each having a passageway of a different diameter to accept certain ends in said range;   d. inserting said cord grip means into the bore of an assembly device having a bore therethrough and a portion of said bore containing an internal thread;   e. threading by engaging the internally threaded portion of said assembly device to the externally threaded portion of said cord grip body; and   f. advancing said assembly device fully onto said cord grip body to deform said deformable bushing and closing said cord grip means passageway to cause said bushing to tightly grip said cord and causing the tips of said fingers to bite into the insulation of said cord to provide a strain-relief and water-tight joint between said cord and said cord grip.